The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary, depending on the severity of the hormone deficiency. Problems tend to develop slowly, often over a number of years.
At first, you may barely notice the symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as fatigue and weight gain. Or you may simply attribute them to getting older. But as your metabolism continues to slow, you may develop more-obvious problems. Although hypothyroidism most often affects middle-aged and older women, anyone can develop the condition, including infants. Initially, babies born without a thyroid gland or with a gland that doesn't work properly may have few signs and symptoms.
When newborns do have problems with hypothyroidism, the problems may include:. As the disease progresses, infants are likely to have trouble feeding and may fail to grow and develop normally. They may also have:. When hypothyroidism in infants isn't treated, even mild cases can lead to severe physical and mental retardation. In general, children and teens who develop hypothyroidism have the same signs and symptoms as adults do, but they may also experience:.
See your doctor if you're feeling tired for no reason or have any of the other signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as dry skin, a pale, puffy face, constipation or a hoarse voice. If you're receiving hormone therapy for hypothyroidism, schedule follow-up visits as often as your doctor recommends.
Initially, it's important to make sure you're receiving the correct dose of medicine. And over time, the dose you need may change. When your thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, the balance of chemical reactions in your body can be upset. There can be a number of causes, including autoimmune disease, hyperthyroidism treatments, radiation therapy, thyroid surgery and certain medications.
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland situated at the base of the front of your neck, just below your Adam's apple. Like most cells, hair follicles are regulated by thyroid hormone. Because hair follicles have stem cells that have a short lifespan and rapid turnover, they are more sensitive to low thyroid levels than other tissues Low thyroid hormone causes hair follicles to stop regenerating, resulting in hair loss. This will typically improve when the thyroid issue is treated.
Consider hypothyroidism if you experience unexpected changes in the rate or pattern of your hair loss, particularly if your hair becomes patchy or coarser. Other hormone problems can also cause unexpected hair loss. Your doctor can help you sort out whether your hair loss is anything to worry about. Summary: Low thyroid hormone affects rapidly growing cells like hair follicles.
This can cause hair loss and coarsening of the hair. Itchy and Dry Skin. Like hair follicles, skin cells are characterized by rapid turnover. Therefore, they are also sensitive to losing growth signals from the thyroid hormone.
When the normal cycle of skin renewal is broken, skin may take longer to regrow. This means the outer layer of skin has been around longer, accumulating damage.
It also means that dead skin may take longer to shed, leading to flaky, dry skin. Changes in skin that cannot be blamed on allergies like hay fever or new products can be a more practical sign of thyroid problems.
Finally, hypothyroidism is sometimes caused by autoimmune disease. This can affect the skin, causing swelling and redness known as myxedema.
Myxedema is more specific to thyroid problems than other causes of dry skin Summary: Hypothyroidism commonly causes dry skin. However, most people with dry skin do not have hypothyroidism. Myxedema is a red, swollen rash that is characteristic of thyroid problems.
Feeling Down or Depressed. Hypothyroidism is linked to depression. The reasons for this are unclear, but it might be a mental symptom of an overall decrease in energy and health About the same percentage of men and women also experience anxiety In one study, thyroid hormone replacement improved depression in patients with mild hypothyroidism, compared to a placebo Another study of young women with mild hypothyroidism showed increased feelings of depression, which were also connected to decreased satisfaction with their sex lives Furthermore, postpartum hormone fluctuations are a common cause of hypothyroidism, potentially contributing to postpartum depression 7 , 20 , Feeling depressed is a good reason to talk to a physician or therapist.
They may be able to help you cope, regardless of whether the depression is caused by thyroid problems or something else. Summary: Hypothyroidism can cause depression and anxiety. These conditions are shown to improve with thyroid hormone replacement. Trouble Concentrating or Remembering. The way this mental fogginess presents itself varies by person.
If you start seeing a new doctor, tell the doctor that you have hypothyroidism and you need your TSH tested every year. If you are seeing an endocrinologist, ask that copies of your reports be sent to your primary care doctor. There is no cure for hypothyroidism, and most patients have it for life. There are exceptions: many patients with viral thyroiditis have their thyroid function return to normal, as do some patients with thyroiditis after pregnancy.
Hypothyroidism may become more or less severe, and your dose of thyroxine may need to change over time. You have to make a lifetime commitment to treatment.
But if you take your pills every day and work with your doctor to get and keep your thyroxine dose right, you should be able to keep your hypothyroidism well controlled throughout your life. Your symptoms should disappear and the serious effects of low thyroid hormone should improve. If you keep your hypothyroidism well-controlled, it will not shorten your life span. Here are the major causes, from the most to the least common. But in almost every patient, hypothyroidism can be completely controlled.
It is treated by replacing the amount of hormone that your own thyroid can no longer make, to bring your T4 and TSH levels back to normal levels. Synthetic thyroxine pills contain hormone exactly like the T4 that the thyroid gland itself makes.
All hypothyroid patients except those with severe myxedema life-threatening hypothyroidism can be treated as outpatients, not having to be admitted to the hospital. The only dangers of thyroxine are caused by taking too little or too much. If you take too little, your hypothyroidism will continue.
The most common symptoms of too much thyroid hormone are fatigue but inability to sleep, greater appetite, nervousness, shakiness, feeling hot when other people are cold, and trouble exercising because of weak muscles, shortness of breath , and a racing, skipping heart. Patients who have hyperthyroid symptoms at any time during thyroxine replacement therapy should have their TSH tested.
If it is low, indicating too much thyroid hormone, their dose needs to be lowered. The goal of treatment is to get and keep your TSH in the normal range. A balanced diet of whole grains , beans , lean proteins , and colorful fruits and vegetables should provide enough iodine. Discover other iodine-rich foods. Soy may hinder the absorption of thyroid hormones. If you drink or eat too many soy products, you may not be able to properly absorb your medication.
You need steady doses of the medication to achieve even levels of thyroid hormone in your blood. Avoid eating or drinking soy-based foods for at least 4 hours before and after you take your medication.
Like soy, fiber may interfere with hormone absorption. Too much dietary fiber may prevent your body from getting the hormones it needs.
Instead, avoid taking your medicine within several hours of eating high fiber foods. If you take supplements or medications in addition to thyroid medications, try to take them at different times. Create a hypothyroidism diet plan with these tips. However, there are ways to lessen the effect of hypothyroidism on your quality of life. Hypothyroidism often goes along with other conditions, such as:. Despite taking medication, you may still experience fatigue from time to time. Find people you can openly express your feelings and experiences to.
This can be a therapist, close friend, family member, or a support group of other people living with this condition. Many hospitals sponsor meetings for people with conditions such as hypothyroidism. Learn more about how hypothyroidism can affect your relationships.
This causes a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, and even depression. A study found that 60 percent of people with hypothyroidism exhibited some symptoms of depression. Some people with hypothyroidism may only experience mood difficulties. This can make diagnosing hypothyroidism difficult. Instead of only treating the brain, doctors should also consider testing for and treating an underactive thyroid. The two conditions also have symptoms that may distinguish them from one another.
For hypothyroidism, problems such as dry skin, constipation, high cholesterol, and hair loss are common. Depression is often a diagnosis made based on symptoms and medical history. Low thyroid function is diagnosed with a physical exam and blood tests. If your depression is caused only by hypothyroidism, correcting the hypothyroidism should treat the depression. Explore the link between thyroid conditions and depression here.
While hypothyroidism has long been associated with depression, a study indicates it may be associated with anxiety too. Researchers evaluated people between the ages of 18 and 45 years old who have a known history of hypothyroidism. Using an anxiety questionnaire, they found that around 63 percent of them met the criteria for some form of anxiety.
Research to date has consisted of small studies. Larger and more focused studies on anxiety may help determine if a true connection exists between hypothyroidism and anxiety. Women who have hypothyroidism and wish to become pregnant face a particular set of challenges. Low thyroid function or uncontrolled hypothyroidism during pregnancy can cause:. Some doctors routinely check thyroid levels during pregnancy to monitor for low thyroid hormone levels.
If your levels are lower than they should be, your doctor may suggest treatment. Some women who never had thyroid problems before they were pregnant may develop them after having a baby. This is called postpartum thyroiditis.
For many women, the condition resolves within 12 to 18 months , and medication is no longer required.
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